Experience an expansive array of marine life and wildlife on a luxury Galapagos yacht charter

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The Galapagos Islands are a perfect destination for groups or families seeking adventure. Private Galapagos yacht charters allow you to explore the incredible history, nature, and wildlife of these volcanic islands.

The Galápagos Islands are a bucket-list destination for good reason: thanks to a lack of natural predators, friendly wildlife such as playful sea lions and gigantic sea tortoises let visitors get up close and personal. This archipelago of about 19 islands and many smaller islets sprinkled 620 miles off Ecuador’s coast served as the inspiration for Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution. Each island boasts its own unique landscape, ranging from barren black, volcanic rocks to swaths of white sand beaches melting into gemstone-blue waters.

Yacht charters in the Galapagos offer a unique look into this natural wonder; we should mention, however, that this happens to be an amazing destination for those looking for white beaches and turquoise waters, too!

Galapagos Highlights

Natural wonderland

Swim with sealions and penguins

Walk among giant tortoises

Amazing landscape

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Best Time to Charter in the Galapagos

When to go: All year

Even though the Galapagos is on the Equator, and is naturally warm, it does not experience the tropical temperatures that one might expect when visiting. Because of the Humboldt Current, the region’s temperatures stay mild and dry all year. Regardless of the season, the Galapagos islands boast great weather with temperatures ranging from 69 to 84 degrees.

In fact, when it comes to the weather, the Galapagos Islands only have two real seasons. From January to April, visitors to the archipelago will find themselves in the heart of a warm, rainy season; one marked by warm sea currents, less wind, and ultra-calm seas. During this same season, those at higher elevations will notice heavy rains that fill rivers and streams, and thus flow down to the lower portions of the islands.

During the dry season, which lasts from May through December, yacht charter guests will find that the southern islands are windy, causing temperatures to drop rapidly. Similarly, the interior of the islands will drop to the mid-70’s, accompanied by less rain along the Galapagos coast.

Because the Galapagos Islands feature a wide variety of landforms – from rolling mountainsides and deep valleys, to coastal beaches – visitors to the islands should expect that the weather and climate will change in every region.

Five Things to do on a Galapagos Yacht Charter

While aboard a Galapagos boat charter, you can roam across landmasses, from Isla Isabela to Isla Santiago to Isla Santa Cruz to any of the other small, secluded islands. The unique landscape of these islands moored in deep blue ocean creates a breathtaking setting for enjoying a variety of activities, including photography, hiking, snorkeling, and scuba diving. Whether you want to sunbathe with seals, swim with whale sharks, or just relax in crystal clear waters, you’ll surely have an adventure!

When planning your yacht charter to Galapagos you want to make sure that you see and do as much as you can. Here are five things to do in the Galapagos Islands.

Make the most of the landscape

The Islands have a variety of landscapes that begin at the low coastlands and beaches to the lush inland and the towering mountains. However, the most exciting aspect are the geologic hot spots. In Santa Cruz, you can tour ancient underground tunnels formed long ago by the same volcanic activity which formed the islands. You will be awed by formations from active volcanos and can even hike to the top of one and peer inside.

See the unique land animals

The land creatures in the Galapagos Islands are unafraid of humans unlike anything you’ve seen. Tortuga Bay, in particular, is home to thousands of marine iguanas who sun themselves on the beautiful beach and play in the warm waters. The area is known for its giant tortoises. These giant, yet unassuming, beasts can be seen in the wild or at one of the private tortoise ranches. Yacht charter guests will have the opportunity of viewing and even interacting with a variety of wildlife – birds, mammals, reptiles, marine animals, and insects.

Birds: When people think of birds of the Galapagos, they’re bound to think immediately of the finch. These tiny birds played an important part in Darwin’s Theory, but the islands have many more species of birds, including flamingos, blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, and cormorants.

Mammals: Although some of your most vivid memories of Galapagos creatures may be interacting with the sea lions or watching the dolphins perform off the bow of your Galapagos crewed yacht, these are two of the few species of mammals on the Islands. Due to its isolation from any mainland, very few native mammals – no more than fourteen – have ever inhabited the Galapagos Islands.

Reptiles: Even though the archipelago has few mammals, it does not mean that it has minimal land creatures. Reptiles have dominated the land and include the Galapagos giant tortoise as well as iguanas, snakes, and lizards.

Insects: Since the islands were never connected to a mainland, they offer a limited number of insects; however, on after a significant rainfall and perhaps in a light at night, you may see the green hawkmoth or the fringed noctuid butterflies. Other insects you may spot include the large painted grasshopper and the giant long-horn beetle.

Explore under the water

Snorkelers and divers will whole-heartedly agree that the best wildlife that the Galapagos has to offer is under the water. The waters hold a variety of species, most notably including Sally light-foot crabs, sharks, sea cucumbers, white sharks, and even occasionally whales and hammerhead sharks.

The clear waters of the area make for excellent snorkeling conditions. The sea creatures are just as accustomed to humans as those on land. You’ll get up close to a myriad of tropical fish, turtles, and other sea creatures. The sea lions are particularly friendly with great personalities, but remember the strict rule to keep six feet from all animals.

Look up in the skies

If you aren’t interested in birds before you go to Galapagos, you will be when you get there! There are great quantities of birds with many different and unique features. Try to spot all thirteen species of Darwin’s finches as well as the flightless cormorant, the blue-footed booby, and the waved albatross. The birds are easy to spot, are not skittish, and sing beautiful songs.

Get educated

Be certain to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station while on your yacht charter the Galapagos Islands. Renowned as a top conservation and research center, the center is located in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. It is dedicated to conserve the unique environment of the Islands as well as educate the public about the amazing flora and fauna of the area.

Chartering a Private Yacht in the Galapagos Islands

Discover the magic of these iconic islands with private Galapagos yacht charters. For more information about renting a private luxury charter yacht in the Galapagos Islands, please feel free to contact our Yacht Charter Brokers and start planning a vacation of a lifetime!